Jordan Evans’ long trip to OU

NORMAN Draped in his father’s No. 78 crimson jersey, flanked by two OU football helmets, 3 year old Jordan Evans posed for a picture. “Following the Tradition,” read the inscription on the frame.

Evans turns 18 on Sunday; on Feb. 6 he plans to sign a letter of intent to play football for the Sooners. The photo proved true.

The son of Scott Evans was a late bloomer. Until two years ago, Jordan Evans thought of himself as a basketball player. Until the 2011 Class 6A playoffs, Scott Evans wasn’t sure his son could be a Division I football player. wholesale nfl jerseys from china Until two months ago, OU hadn’t offered a scholarship.

And if Virginia Tech had shown interest, Jordan Evans likely would be Blacksburg bound. The son of a Sooner grew up a Hokie fan, drawn to Michael Vick in that wild Sugar Bowl 13 years ago. Jordan’s Christmases over the years have included a steady stream of Virginia Tech gear.

But now Jordan Evans, a strapping 6 foot 3 speedster, who was a linebacker, an occasional wildcat quarterback and big play kick returner at Norman North, is headed for his dad’s alma mater.

As good a pick as any as the most underrated Sooner of them all. A three time all Big Eight defensive tackle, 1988 90. Lee Roy Selmon didn’t make all Big Eight three times. Neither did Tony Casillas. But Scott Evans did, and Tommie Harris (2001 03) joined him as OU’s only three time all conference defensive tackles.

Evans also is as good a pick as any as the most interesting Sooner I ever interviewed. He was introspective. Able to talk about things outside football. I remember a 1990 chat with Evans about Vietnam. He was completely enthralled with the Vietnam era. Read books, wrote papers, took classes about that period of American history.

Didn’t surprise me at all to learn that Scott Evans has lived in Norman for 20 years, since retiring from football after one NFL season, and has kept a low profile concerning Sooner football. Evans always seemed like the type who wouldn’t live the rest of his life recalling the good old days.

“I don’t want to be in the spotlight,” Scott Evans said. “It was 20 years ago. I don’t go back to the university much. I haven’t been to the games, haven’t really kept up with the O Club or anything.

“When school was done, my job was working, providing for my family. So that’s by design. I’m living life, taking care of my family, and that’s a full time job.”

But Jordan always knew his dad was a Sooner. Scott’s office at home has OU memorabilia, and Jordan didn’t mind telling his friends about it. “I could say, ‘My dad played for OU,'” Jordan said. “It was cool to say that.”

Father and son aren’t necessarily alike.

“Scott will speak his mind,” said Tenika Evans, Scott’s wife and Jordan’s mother. “Jordan’s more laid back. Kind of reserved.”

Said Scott, “He’s a lot better person than I was at that age. I had some arrogance and a wild side to me that he doesn’t. He’s genuine, caring, unselfish.

“Our similarities are sports, work ethic, determination. Wanting to be as good as you could possibly be. A lot of things I’m glad he doesn’t follow in my footsteps.”

But there are other ways that father and son are not alike.

Bi racial families are common these days. But the Evanses go counter to convention. Black wife, white husband.

“I’ve got the best of both worlds,” Jordan said.

Scott and Tenika met at OU. Tenika was dating another Sooner, linebacker Frank Blevins. When Scott returned to school after leaving the NFL, he reconnected with Tenika.

“I liked Scott because he knew what he wanted,” Tenika said. “He was smart and intelligent. He stood up for what was right.”

They were married on Jordan’s first birthday “We did things backward,” Tenika said and now also have daughters Jacie, 12, and Jessika, 11.

Scott says he never cared what people thought. “You meet who you meet,” he said. “I’ve been blessed. She’s a good woman, a great wife.”

What’s it like to grow up in a bi racial family? What’s it like to not? “Seems normal,” Jordan said.

Said Scott, “We live in Norman. We’re not driving through Tupelo, Miss. We wouldn’t take a family vacation to southeastern Arkansas. http://www.clevelandbrownsjerseys.com I understand there are people out there. But you gotta live your life. We don’t have any problems.”